AN ARSON probe has been launched after a van fire in West Moors forced residents to evacuate their homes in the early hours today.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Station Road shortly after midnight.

The fire had spread from the Ford Transit van into the adjacent shop and flats.

Police attended and evacuated residents from the property.

Firefighters from Ferndown, Ringwood and Redhill extinguished the blaze.

The van, which has no connection to the damaged shop it was next to, suffered extensive damage, with broken windows, scorched bodywork and burst tyres.

Smoke damage was also visible on the exterior of building.

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Safety Team released pictures of the scene on Twitter and said: "This van was set alight in Station Road, West Moors, just after midnight last night.

"In doing so, those responsible severely threatened the lives of people living in the flats above. If you saw anything, please call Dorset Police on 101."

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "We attended a report of a vehicle fire which had spread to a neighbouring premises.

"We attended to evacuate residents from the building that was on fire.

"The fire service are investigating and we are making follow up inquiries.

"It is being investigated as arson but inquiries are ongoing."